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You have two gerbils. How do you tell if they are both the same sex?

This question arises all the time. It is not difficult to answer as I will
demonstrate. Gerbils are in fact extremely easy to sex from about 5 weeks old
upwards. As this earlier than they will normally begin to mate, it shouldn't be
difficult to avoid unwanted pregnancies! With a little experience you should be
able to reliably sex gerbils from the third week or sooner.

There are four main differences between male and female gerbils.

Adult males are significantly larger, although this is not a precise
method of sexing because gerbil size can depend on a number of other
factors.

Adult males have a large bulge at the base of the tail which is their
scrotum. This is totally absent from females. This bulge is obvious by 6
weeks of age and can be seen at least two weeks earlier.

Female gerbils have more obvious nipples. I know some people who say they
can sex gerbils at a few days old by this method but it isn't one I would
recommend.

Finally and most importantly, the distance between the urinary and anal
openings in female gerbils is much smaller than it is in males. This method
can be used reliably from at least three weeks of age.

So how exactly do I sex them?

The first thing to do is to put your gerbil on your left hand or a stable
surface.

Then, gently take your gerbil by the base of the tail with the first
finger and thumb of your right hand. (You can of course swap hands if you
are left handed.)

Lift the rear of your gerbil of the ground with your right hand. Making
sure that it's front feet can still support its weight on your left hand.

Finally, look at the ventral openings and look for a bulge at the base of
the tail. The following photos should help.

Age

Male

Female

Adult

7 Weeks Old

4 Weeks Old

You can test your self using the following picture:

Click here if you think it is a Male and here if
you think it is Female.

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